Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has vowed to save the Hunter’s GP Access After Hours (GPAAH) service if victorious at the next federal election.
Despite local MPs Sharon Claydon, Pat Conroy, Joel Fitzgibbon, Meryl Swanson, Sonia Hornery and Labor candidate Dan Repacholi taking up the fight in recent months, the facility at the Calvary Mater Hospital closed its doors on Christmas Eve.
Operating hours at similar amenities at the Belmont Hospital, John Hunter Hospital, Maitland Hospital and Westlakes Community Health Centre in Toronto were reduced, too, due to continuous Liberal cutbacks and freezes to Medicare.
Ms Claydon also presented a petition last year to Minister for Health Greg Hunt, with more than 11,000 signatures, to salvage GPAAH at the Calvary Mater.
Unfortunately, that gesture was in vain.
Mr Albanese, who will visit Newcastle on Sunday 2 January, said his party would reverse more than $500,000 of annual Liberal cuts.
And, that should secure the future of the crucial after-hour healthcare clinics.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison has refused to rule out supporting a recommendation for a further funding cut, which if approved would end this vital service,” he explained.
“This is a devastating blow to the Hunter community.
“Especially in the middle of a global pandemic.
“Almost every Hunter family has used this vital service.
“It sees 50,000 patients a year and provides 70,000 telephone consultations, alleviates pressure on overstretched hospitals and has been estimated to save the broader health system almost $22 million per year.”
Mr Albanese forewarned the flow-on effect from the government’s decision would be widespread.
“For example, when the Belmont After Hours Clinic was forced to close temporarily, waiting times at the Belmont Hospital Emergency Department blew out from 2.5 hours to six,” he said.
“Like so many Liberal decisions about funding health services, cutting money to the Hunter’s GPAAH just doesn’t make sense.
“Reduced hours of operation and closure of services have led to an incredible local campaign to get services restored, led by the Hunter community, the Hunter GP Association and the several Labor MPs and candidates who have fought passionately to retain their treasured after-hours care service.
“Unlike Mr Morrison, we’ve heard the message loud and clear.
“An Albanese Labor government will restore cut funding as a priority.
“Labor built Medicare, we protect Medicare and we’ll strengthen Medicare if the Australian people – and Hunter residents – vote us in at the next election.”
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